Saturday, November 20, 2010

Was Lincoln the Most Influential American in History?

According to a 2006 survey of ten historians, conducted and published by The Atlantic, Abraham Lincoln topped the list of the 100 most influential Americans in history. Several figures from the founding era (and before) made the list, including Jonathan Edwards (#90), Noah Webster (#71), John Quincy Adams (#55), John Adams (#25), Thomas Paine (#19), Andrew Jackson (#18), James Madison (#13), John Marshall (#7), Benjamin Franklin (#6), Alexander Hamilton (#5), Thomas Jefferson (#3), and George Washington (#2).

I'd like to see The Atlantic update this list by moving George Washington to the top spot where he belongs (without Washington, there wouldn't be a United States or a President Lincoln) and to move Jefferson down a few notches. He continues to be overrated in his influence. And Paine at #19? What's that about?

Some believe that Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president because he secured civil rights for the African American. But, others think that civil rights was a power grab for centralizing government and granting government more rights over States. States needed to have the right to ensure laborers for their economic 'advantage'.

The problem today, is that all people scream for civil liberties that define thier "group", instead of civil liberties being a right of an American citizen. Groups divide over difference and it can become disunifying to the country.

In this sense, Federalism is a better way of understanding diversity in unity.

This is what we presently face with immigraion policy and Arizona's right. Islam also challenges us with religious rights of conscience. But, wherein lies the right of the American citizen?

Gloablists use the 'natural rights argument to defend human rights, which can subvert the nation-state.

I'm not sure where I play out on all of this, as I am still learning and thinking through what has been discussed and written on the subject. It seems that whenever one gets to the "larger concept" the more apt there is to be abuses of power, and a lack of definition or conflicts for legal issues.

The article was quite interesting. Keep it going... I would like to draw your attention towards an article on “Inventions that revolutionised the world”. Every schoolchild knows that the scientific genius and inventor, Thomas Alva Edison invented the light bulb in 1879. Though the credit to make electric bulbs commercially viable goes to him, many believe that he did not invent the bulb and bought patents from those who did.To read more interesting facts check http://www.sinapseblog.com/2010/11/inventions-that-revolutionised-world.html

Centralization of power is always the enemy of liberty! Liberty resists tyrannical attempts at universalizing what can only be understood by individuals in their personal and private convictions and commitments.